"I thought I was going to die": Mat Rogers' secret health struggle
Former NRL star Mat Rogers claims he thought he “was going to die” as an autoimmune disease left him in crippling pain, even fearing he may have to say goodbye to his family.
The 46-year-old began to suffer from seronegative inflammatory arthritis earlier this year, also known as spondyloarthritis.
The autoimmune disease affects the joint of the vertebral column and symptoms include pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, fever and low appetite.
The symptoms are very similar to rheumatoid arthritis however, the two conditions affect the body differently. Spondyloarthritis starts in the lower back or shoulders.
Speaking ahead of the release of his book, “A Father’s Son”, Rogers recalls how a mild shoulder tickle turned into unbearable pain.
“I thought I was going to die. I literally got a condition where my immune system started attacking my joints and I was just like an old man."
"It started out rather mild in my shoulder then it sort of riddled my body. I thought this was it, I thought I had some sort of blood cancer."
The former dual code star feared he may leave his five kids and wife prematurely.
A Father's Son is available now at all major book stores and online.